بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The number of paths to Allah is as the number of breaths of Allah's creation. We have to discover and search where our individual paths lie. Part of this discovery is coming to know ourselves and knowing what we can do and cannot do.
The greatest thing you can do is to discover what the Lord wants from you. Once you discover this, it is beautiful if you can spend the rest of your life devoting to your Lord.
Ali bin Abi Talib, the fourth righteous Caliph, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say he knew the pathways to heaven better than the pathways on earth.
Heaven has its pathways. If you don't know where you are going you can get lost. We need teachers who have traveled the pathways to show us the way.
Allah has made His creatures such that we need teachers. There are different kinds of teachers. In the realm of religion, they have studied with an unbroken chain of teachers all the way back to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. There are teachers who can teach you knowledge. There are teachers who will refine your character--they help you know the perishing nature of the world and the diseases of the heart. There are teachers who can teach you how to attain the higher level of faith (ihsan).
However, it goes back to our own free will. Are you going to discover and follow?
It is important to have good companionships. Don't underestimate the power of companionship. If you have bad companionship, it is not easy to find the right way and if you are on the right way, it is not easy to keep going.
People are easily affected by the environment. In this day and age, in which people are being bombarded with entertainment and consumerism, and many societies seem to embrace the culture of greed and impunity and people are oblivious to decency and morality, it is a huge struggle to practice the religion properly and if the iman is not strong, slowly but surely you will slip and fall. If people around you are God conscious and Godfearing, they will protect you from the causes of destruction and plots of shaytan.
Remember, shaytan to mankind, is a clear enemy, who is always lurking to enter your heart and snatch your iman away. If he is unsuccessful from one door, he will try to enter from another door. Just like there is an inherent danger in physical travel, there is an inherent danger in our spiritual travel as well.
You are walking on this earth with danger signs all over and if you ignore these signs, you will eventuallly self destruct.
So, choose your companions well, go out there and discover the good teachers and learn from them.
May Allah protect and increase our iman and grant us righteous companions and righteous teachers. May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wiithout A Trace
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
There are so many past civilizations that have gone without a trace. We know they were there at one time from historical records. If you waste your time watching the history channels, they don't really tell you much except suppositions and speculations. The correct and reliable information about the history of mankind and the ancient civilizations may only be obtained from the Qur'an.
We don't even know where most of the past prophets lived. The only grave which is decisively established with historical records is the grave of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. All other prophets' graves are not known decisively.
But it is all there with Allah Subnanahu wa Ta'ala. This in itself is a reminder for all of us of the encompassing Power and Knowledge of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
Our life in this world will end and there will be a time that no one will ever know that you once existed, let alone to marvel your success, beauty, children, house, cooking and other talents, etc, which you are now enjoying. You will be a thing forgotten and out of sight.
So don't puff up with pride and arrogance. We are nobody. Walk on this earth with humility and remember Allah much.
May Allah make us steadfast, make us His best servants and grant us an excellent ending. Ameen.
Hajj mabrur to the hajjis. May Allah accept their du'as and include us in their du'as. Ameen
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
There are so many past civilizations that have gone without a trace. We know they were there at one time from historical records. If you waste your time watching the history channels, they don't really tell you much except suppositions and speculations. The correct and reliable information about the history of mankind and the ancient civilizations may only be obtained from the Qur'an.
We don't even know where most of the past prophets lived. The only grave which is decisively established with historical records is the grave of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. All other prophets' graves are not known decisively.
But it is all there with Allah Subnanahu wa Ta'ala. This in itself is a reminder for all of us of the encompassing Power and Knowledge of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّـهِ قُضِىَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ ﴿٧٨[Qur'an Ghafir 40:7]
And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you. And it was not for any messenger to bring a sign [or verse] except by permission of Allah. So when the command of Allah comes, it will be concluded in truth, and the falsifiers will thereupon lose [all]. (78)
Our life in this world will end and there will be a time that no one will ever know that you once existed, let alone to marvel your success, beauty, children, house, cooking and other talents, etc, which you are now enjoying. You will be a thing forgotten and out of sight.
So don't puff up with pride and arrogance. We are nobody. Walk on this earth with humility and remember Allah much.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتَكُمْ إِنْ أَتَىٰكُمْ عَذَابُ ٱللَّـهِ أَوْ أَتَتْكُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّـهِ تَدْعُونَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ﴿٤٠﴾ بَلْ إِيَّاهُ تَدْعُونَ فَيَكْشِفُ مَا تَدْعُونَ إِلَيْهِ إِن شَآءَ وَتَنسَوْنَ مَا تُشْرِكُونَ ﴿٤١﴾ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾ فَلَوْلَآ إِذْ جَآءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَلَمَّا نَسُوا۟ مَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَٰبَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتُوٓا۟ أَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾[Qur'an Al-An'am 6:40-44]
Say, "Have you considered: if there came to you the punishment of Allah or there came to you the Hour - is it other than Allah you would invoke, if you should be truthful?" (40) No, it is Him [alone] you would invoke, and He would remove that for which you invoked Him if He willed, and you would forget what you associate [with Him]. (41) And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. (42) Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing. (43) So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. (44)
May Allah make us steadfast, make us His best servants and grant us an excellent ending. Ameen.
Hajj mabrur to the hajjis. May Allah accept their du'as and include us in their du'as. Ameen
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Fiqh Of Eid al-Adha
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Wishing you and your family a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha.
Islam has two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr (Post-Fasting Festival) and Eid al-Adha.
The word Eid itself is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is ‘that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing.’ Its particular usage in Islam, for the two major holidays, is because these two days are meant to be days of rejoicing.
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “They are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God.” [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih, an authoritative collection of the sayings of the Prophet.]
In this same spirit, the Qur’an mentions that, “Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast (eid) for us, for the first of us and for the last of us and a sign from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the Best of Sustainers.’”(Qur’an, 5: 114)
Eid al-Adha is meant to be a recognition the material and spiritual favors of God to His creation, manifested by the ritual slaughtering necessary for all able Muslims to perform, following the sunna (way) of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
This is a manifestation of total submission to the command of Allah: one submits one’s mind, wealth, and body to the Command and Pleasure of Allah. On this day, Muslims all over the world thank God for the gift bestowed on them.
The lessons of the way of the Prophet Ibrahim, where, in utter submission to the Divine Command, he was about to slaughter is very own son, until at the last moment Allah sent an animal to be slaughtered instead, are many:
1. Complete submission to the command of Allah, out of thankfulness, love, and true slavehood. On this day, able Muslims slaughter an animal, whose meat is eating, and distributed to family, friends and the poor, and go early in the day to perform the Eid prayer.
2. Recognizing one’s blessings and thanking God for them: Muslims are encouraged to wear their best clothes, give gifts (especially to children) and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors.
3. Remembering the plight of the poor and giving in charity: On Eid day, it is especially recommended to give in charity.
In this and other ways, Muslims seek to join between worldly and spiritual celebration, for it is said, “True rejoicing is not (merely) in wearing new clothes, but in becoming true in one’s devotion to Allah.”
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “For every people there is a feast and this is our feast.” [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih]
The Fiqh of Eid al-Adha
1. The Eid Prayer is wajib. It consists of two rakats, with extra takbirs. The wisdom behind the Eid prayers, like the Eid days themselves, is to thank Allah for His countless blessings.
2. After the Eid prayer, there is a khutba. It is necessary to listen to this khutba, and everything disliked in the Friday khutba is disliked here.
3. In the first rakat of the Eid prayer, one gives 3 additional takbirs after the opening takbir and opening supplication but before reciting the Fatiha. One should raise one’s hands with each takbir (to one’s earlobes), as one does with the opening takbir.
After each takbir, one lets one’s hands rest at one’s sides.
One pauses briefly after each takbir.
One places ones hands together, right on left under the navel, after the third and final takbir.
After this, one recites the ta`wwudh (seeking refuge in Allah from Satan), says the basmala (Bismillahi al-Rahman al-Raheem), and recites the Fatiha and another surah, as normal. The rest of the rakat is the same.
4. In the second rakat of the Eid prayer, one also gives 3 additional takbirs. These are given after one finishes reciting the Fatiha and Surah. They are like the first rakat’s takbirs, except that one leaves one’s hands to one’s sides after the third takbir, after which one gives one’s normal takbir for going into ruku, without raising one’s hands.
5. This is the sunna way of giving the takbirs in the Hanafi school.
However, if one’s imam performs them differently, one follows one’s imam: the sunnah practice has been reported in different ways, and the difference between the Sunni schools on this is in terms of optimality, not validity.
6. It is disliked to perform any prayers before the Eid prayer, whether at home or at the place where the Eid prayer is being performed.
7. It is only disliked to perform any prayers after the Eid prayer at the place where the Eid prayer is performed; it is not disliked to do so elsewhere.
8. The latecomer, who misses the additional takbirs with the Imam, should perform the takbirs immediately, even if the Imam is reciting.
9. If one joins the imam while he is in ruku`, one should perform the additional takbirs while standing if one will be able to catch the imam in ruku`.
Otherwise, if one fears not catching the imam in ruku`, one should give one’s opening takbir and go into ruku`. Then, one should recite the additional takbirs in ruku` before the tasbihs of ruku`. One does not raise one’s hands in ruku`, however.
10. If one misses a rakat of the Eid prayer, one says the additional takbirs after the recitation. This is how it has been established through the practice of the Companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
[from: al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Haskafi/Ibn Abidin,Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar; Shurunbulali,Imdad al-Fattah Sharh Nur al-Idah, and other works]
The Sunnas of the Day of Eid:
The sunnas of the Day of Eid al-Adha include:
1. To adorn oneself according to the Shariah, by:
a. Performing ghusl (this is a confirmed sunnah for the Eid prayer);
b. Brush one’s teeth, using a miswak if possible;
c. Apply perfume;
d. Wear the best clothing one possesses, without excess. White, when available, is optimal;
2. To wake up early, in order to prepare for the sunnas of the day;
3. To go early to the place the Eid prayer is taking place;
4. To delay eating until after the Eid al-Adha prayer;
5. To return from the Eid prayer by a different route to the one taken there, as established by the Prophet’s practice (Allah bless him & give him peace);
6. To walk, when reasonably possible without hardship;
7. To give the takbirs of Eid.
And Allah alone gives success.
Taken from Fiqh of Eid al-Adha by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
[Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.]
And the blessings and peace of Allah be upon His Chosen Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, and followers.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Wishing you and your family a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha.
Islam has two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr (Post-Fasting Festival) and Eid al-Adha.
The word Eid itself is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is ‘that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing.’ Its particular usage in Islam, for the two major holidays, is because these two days are meant to be days of rejoicing.
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “They are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God.” [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih, an authoritative collection of the sayings of the Prophet.]
In this same spirit, the Qur’an mentions that, “Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast (eid) for us, for the first of us and for the last of us and a sign from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the Best of Sustainers.’”(Qur’an, 5: 114)
Eid al-Adha is meant to be a recognition the material and spiritual favors of God to His creation, manifested by the ritual slaughtering necessary for all able Muslims to perform, following the sunna (way) of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
This is a manifestation of total submission to the command of Allah: one submits one’s mind, wealth, and body to the Command and Pleasure of Allah. On this day, Muslims all over the world thank God for the gift bestowed on them.
The lessons of the way of the Prophet Ibrahim, where, in utter submission to the Divine Command, he was about to slaughter is very own son, until at the last moment Allah sent an animal to be slaughtered instead, are many:
1. Complete submission to the command of Allah, out of thankfulness, love, and true slavehood. On this day, able Muslims slaughter an animal, whose meat is eating, and distributed to family, friends and the poor, and go early in the day to perform the Eid prayer.
2. Recognizing one’s blessings and thanking God for them: Muslims are encouraged to wear their best clothes, give gifts (especially to children) and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors.
3. Remembering the plight of the poor and giving in charity: On Eid day, it is especially recommended to give in charity.
In this and other ways, Muslims seek to join between worldly and spiritual celebration, for it is said, “True rejoicing is not (merely) in wearing new clothes, but in becoming true in one’s devotion to Allah.”
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “For every people there is a feast and this is our feast.” [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih]
The Fiqh of Eid al-Adha
1. The Eid Prayer is wajib. It consists of two rakats, with extra takbirs. The wisdom behind the Eid prayers, like the Eid days themselves, is to thank Allah for His countless blessings.
2. After the Eid prayer, there is a khutba. It is necessary to listen to this khutba, and everything disliked in the Friday khutba is disliked here.
3. In the first rakat of the Eid prayer, one gives 3 additional takbirs after the opening takbir and opening supplication but before reciting the Fatiha. One should raise one’s hands with each takbir (to one’s earlobes), as one does with the opening takbir.
After each takbir, one lets one’s hands rest at one’s sides.
One pauses briefly after each takbir.
One places ones hands together, right on left under the navel, after the third and final takbir.
After this, one recites the ta`wwudh (seeking refuge in Allah from Satan), says the basmala (Bismillahi al-Rahman al-Raheem), and recites the Fatiha and another surah, as normal. The rest of the rakat is the same.
4. In the second rakat of the Eid prayer, one also gives 3 additional takbirs. These are given after one finishes reciting the Fatiha and Surah. They are like the first rakat’s takbirs, except that one leaves one’s hands to one’s sides after the third takbir, after which one gives one’s normal takbir for going into ruku, without raising one’s hands.
5. This is the sunna way of giving the takbirs in the Hanafi school.
However, if one’s imam performs them differently, one follows one’s imam: the sunnah practice has been reported in different ways, and the difference between the Sunni schools on this is in terms of optimality, not validity.
6. It is disliked to perform any prayers before the Eid prayer, whether at home or at the place where the Eid prayer is being performed.
7. It is only disliked to perform any prayers after the Eid prayer at the place where the Eid prayer is performed; it is not disliked to do so elsewhere.
8. The latecomer, who misses the additional takbirs with the Imam, should perform the takbirs immediately, even if the Imam is reciting.
9. If one joins the imam while he is in ruku`, one should perform the additional takbirs while standing if one will be able to catch the imam in ruku`.
Otherwise, if one fears not catching the imam in ruku`, one should give one’s opening takbir and go into ruku`. Then, one should recite the additional takbirs in ruku` before the tasbihs of ruku`. One does not raise one’s hands in ruku`, however.
10. If one misses a rakat of the Eid prayer, one says the additional takbirs after the recitation. This is how it has been established through the practice of the Companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
[from: al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Haskafi/Ibn Abidin,Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar; Shurunbulali,Imdad al-Fattah Sharh Nur al-Idah, and other works]
The Sunnas of the Day of Eid:
The sunnas of the Day of Eid al-Adha include:
1. To adorn oneself according to the Shariah, by:
a. Performing ghusl (this is a confirmed sunnah for the Eid prayer);
b. Brush one’s teeth, using a miswak if possible;
c. Apply perfume;
d. Wear the best clothing one possesses, without excess. White, when available, is optimal;
2. To wake up early, in order to prepare for the sunnas of the day;
3. To go early to the place the Eid prayer is taking place;
4. To delay eating until after the Eid al-Adha prayer;
5. To return from the Eid prayer by a different route to the one taken there, as established by the Prophet’s practice (Allah bless him & give him peace);
6. To walk, when reasonably possible without hardship;
7. To give the takbirs of Eid.
And Allah alone gives success.
Taken from Fiqh of Eid al-Adha by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
[Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.]
And the blessings and peace of Allah be upon His Chosen Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, and followers.
A Sacrifice
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
When the command came, Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam, did not hesitate to obey the command to slaughter his innocent son, Prophet Ismail alayhissalaam.
We know that life is a blessing and taking it away is going against this. It is wrong to kill someone. Everyone knows that oppression is wrong. Denying one of his basic right to live is an oppression. So, we are sure that to kill someone is wrong. But Ibrahim, Allah grant him peace, was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son, Ismail, and he obeyed the command. It was a good act to offer his son in sacrifice. It is a bad act if he were to disobey.
The Abrahamic way is complete surrender and submission. Whatever Allah wants, Ibrahim was there to surrender. This is the essence of Islam--humble slavehood. His Lord rewarded him and made him the father of Prophets.
Our life is about total submission to the Will and Command of Allah. We are expected to submit whether we know the "goodness" of the command or not. It is not acceptable for people to violate what Allah wants from them. Violating Allah's command is violating His purpose of creating us.
In the next 4 days, we have another opportunity, inshaAllah, to follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam by performing a sacrifice (qurbani or udhiyah) of a lamb, goat, cow or camel.
Qurbani is wajib (compulsory) according to Imam Abu Hanifah [and sunnah muakkadah (emphasized sunnah) according to other Imams] upon every 'mukeem' (domiciled) and who possesses 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent in money, personal ornaments, stock in trade or any other form of wealth which is surplus to his/her basic needs. Each adult member of a family who possesses that much wealth must perform his/her own 'Qurbani' separately.
Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, lived in Madinah Munawarah for ten years and performed 'Qurbani' every year. [Tirmidhi]
Despite the fact that the Prophet, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, was not obliged to sacrifice as he never possessed the required amount of wealth, he still did so as can be conceived from the above Hadith above.
Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, sacrificed with his own hands, two white rams with black markings. He took the name of Allah and recited 'Takbir'. Anas stated that he saw him putting his foot upon their buttocks and saying: "In the name of Allah. And Allah is the greatest". [Bukhari and Muslim]
If the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, can do the sacrifice by his own blessed hands at the age of sixty, our man, especially the younger generation, should have no reason not to follow in his footsteps. If one cannot do so, he should at least be present at the time of slaughter.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Apostle of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The son of Adam does not perform any actions on the day of sacrifice which is more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. He will come on the day of resurrection with its hair, horns and hooves, and the blood certainly will fall in a place near Allah before it falls on the ground. So, make yourselves purified there with. [Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
Eid Mubarak to you and your family with complete forgiveness and accepted worship from our Lord. Ameen.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
[Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.]
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
When the command came, Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam, did not hesitate to obey the command to slaughter his innocent son, Prophet Ismail alayhissalaam.
We know that life is a blessing and taking it away is going against this. It is wrong to kill someone. Everyone knows that oppression is wrong. Denying one of his basic right to live is an oppression. So, we are sure that to kill someone is wrong. But Ibrahim, Allah grant him peace, was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son, Ismail, and he obeyed the command. It was a good act to offer his son in sacrifice. It is a bad act if he were to disobey.
The Abrahamic way is complete surrender and submission. Whatever Allah wants, Ibrahim was there to surrender. This is the essence of Islam--humble slavehood. His Lord rewarded him and made him the father of Prophets.
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّـهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٢٠﴾ شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ ۚ ٱجْتَبَىٰهُ وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿١٢١﴾ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ﴿١٢٢[Qur'an Ibrahim 16:120-122]
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah. (120) [He was] grateful for His favors. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path. (121) And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. (122)
Our life is about total submission to the Will and Command of Allah. We are expected to submit whether we know the "goodness" of the command or not. It is not acceptable for people to violate what Allah wants from them. Violating Allah's command is violating His purpose of creating us.
[Qur'an Adh-Dhariyat 51:56]
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)
In the next 4 days, we have another opportunity, inshaAllah, to follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam by performing a sacrifice (qurbani or udhiyah) of a lamb, goat, cow or camel.
Qurbani is wajib (compulsory) according to Imam Abu Hanifah [and sunnah muakkadah (emphasized sunnah) according to other Imams] upon every 'mukeem' (domiciled) and who possesses 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent in money, personal ornaments, stock in trade or any other form of wealth which is surplus to his/her basic needs. Each adult member of a family who possesses that much wealth must perform his/her own 'Qurbani' separately.
Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, lived in Madinah Munawarah for ten years and performed 'Qurbani' every year. [Tirmidhi]
Despite the fact that the Prophet, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, was not obliged to sacrifice as he never possessed the required amount of wealth, he still did so as can be conceived from the above Hadith above.
Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah grant bless him and grant him peace, sacrificed with his own hands, two white rams with black markings. He took the name of Allah and recited 'Takbir'. Anas stated that he saw him putting his foot upon their buttocks and saying: "In the name of Allah. And Allah is the greatest". [Bukhari and Muslim]
If the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, can do the sacrifice by his own blessed hands at the age of sixty, our man, especially the younger generation, should have no reason not to follow in his footsteps. If one cannot do so, he should at least be present at the time of slaughter.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Apostle of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The son of Adam does not perform any actions on the day of sacrifice which is more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. He will come on the day of resurrection with its hair, horns and hooves, and the blood certainly will fall in a place near Allah before it falls on the ground. So, make yourselves purified there with. [Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
Eid Mubarak to you and your family with complete forgiveness and accepted worship from our Lord. Ameen.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
[Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.]
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
The Day Of Arafah: Important For Hajjis And Non-Hajjis
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah is known as 'the Day of `Arafah,’ because the pilgrims at Hajj gather at `Arafah in worship, which is one of the three central integrals of the Hajj rituals. Its importance is such that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Hajj is `Arafah.” [Reported in most major hadith works]
The Day of `Arafah is important for those not at Hajj, as well.
Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9thof Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]
As such, the scholars concur that it is highly recommended (mustahabb) to fast the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah], even for the one on Hajj in the Hanafi school, if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`]
The Day of `Arafah is one of the days when supplications (du`a) are more likely to be accepted. [Ibn al-Haajj,al-Madhkhal; Saffarini, Ghidha’ al-Albab]
This is based on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “The best of supplications are those on the Day of `Arafah.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Malik, and others] Imam al-Baji explained this as meaning, ‘Having most baraka, the greatest reward, and the quickest in being answered.’ [Baji,al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta]
The Takbirs of Eid Start on This Day: The Fiqh
Allah Most High commanded us to, “Remember Allah through the appointed days.” [Qur’an, 2.203]
Hakim recorded in his Mustadrak, from both Ali and Ammar that they said, “The Messenger of Allah used to… make thetakbirs from the Fajr prayer of the Day of `Arafah and would stop them after the Asr prayer of the final day of the Days of Tashriq [13th of Dhu’l Hijjah].” There is, however, weakness in the chain of narrators, as Imam Bayhaqi mentioned. There are numerous hadiths that have been mentioned on this, as Imam Jamal al-Din al-Zayla`i expounded in his Nasb al-Raya [2.266-269]
This has been established by consensus of the Companions of the Beloved of Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). [Mawaffaq Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni 2.126 #1431]
Legal status:
It is necessary (wajib) for every Muslim (male or female, whether praying in congregation or alone) to make the following takbir (declaration of the greatness of Allah) immediately after each obligatory (fard) prayer.
Time:
From: the Fajr Prayer on the 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah (the Day of `Arafah)
To: the Asr Prayer on the 13th of Dhu’l Hijjah.
Thus, these takbirs last 5 days, and 23 prayers.
The takbirs:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu.
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd .
( اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ )
(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)
Rulings related to this:
1. The wajib is to recite this takbir once. If done more than this, it is good. [Haskafi, Durr, quoting `Ayni]
2. The position related above that it is obligatory for 23 prayers, whether in congregation or alone, for every Muslim, is the position of Abu Hanifa’s students, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, and it is the position acted upon and chosen for fatwa, because of the strength of their evidence and the inherited practice being on it, and because it is more cautious. [Durrand Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, quoting al-Zahidi] Abu Hanifa’s position, that it lasts only 8 prayers, is supported by evidence, too, though, including the practice of some major Companions such as Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him), and was taken by some major Hanafi imams, though a minority, such as Ibn al-Humam in hisFath al-Qadir.
3. It is not wrong (rather, it is recommended) to also perform it after the Eid prayer itself because the Muslims have performed it generation after generation, so it is proper to follow their inherited practice (that has been accepted by generation after generation of scholars). [Durr and Radd al-Muhtar]
4. The followers must perform it, even if the imam leaves it. [Durr]
Latecomers [=those who missed one or more rakat of the congregational prayer] must perform it, but after completing their prayer.
5. It is necessary for the congregation to perform it out loud. [Ibn Abidin,Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Quhustani]
6. It is necessary to make the takbirs immediately after the salams. If one talks, loses one’s wudu, or performs other actions completely foreign to the prayer, one has missed the wajib. [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya;Durr]
And Allah alone gives success.
Taken from The Day of 'Arafah: 9th of Dhu'l Hijjah by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
For those who Allah gives the opportunity to stand in Arafah, we ask Allah to accept their hajj and return them home with complete forgiveness from all their sins, and we ask Allah to remind them to make duas for us, and we ask Allah to accept their duas.
For those who did not have the chance to go to hajj this year we ask Allah to forgive everyone on the day of Arafah with all the hajjis, and to make it easy for them to be in Arafah next year, and it’s not difficult for Allah.
Please don't forget us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archives:
The Best 10 Days
The Sacred Month of Zulhijjah is Fast Approaching
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah is known as 'the Day of `Arafah,’ because the pilgrims at Hajj gather at `Arafah in worship, which is one of the three central integrals of the Hajj rituals. Its importance is such that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Hajj is `Arafah.” [Reported in most major hadith works]
The Day of `Arafah is important for those not at Hajj, as well.
Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9thof Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]
As such, the scholars concur that it is highly recommended (mustahabb) to fast the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah], even for the one on Hajj in the Hanafi school, if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`]
The Day of `Arafah is one of the days when supplications (du`a) are more likely to be accepted. [Ibn al-Haajj,al-Madhkhal; Saffarini, Ghidha’ al-Albab]
This is based on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “The best of supplications are those on the Day of `Arafah.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Malik, and others] Imam al-Baji explained this as meaning, ‘Having most baraka, the greatest reward, and the quickest in being answered.’ [Baji,al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta]
The Takbirs of Eid Start on This Day: The Fiqh
Allah Most High commanded us to, “Remember Allah through the appointed days.” [Qur’an, 2.203]
Hakim recorded in his Mustadrak, from both Ali and Ammar that they said, “The Messenger of Allah used to… make thetakbirs from the Fajr prayer of the Day of `Arafah and would stop them after the Asr prayer of the final day of the Days of Tashriq [13th of Dhu’l Hijjah].” There is, however, weakness in the chain of narrators, as Imam Bayhaqi mentioned. There are numerous hadiths that have been mentioned on this, as Imam Jamal al-Din al-Zayla`i expounded in his Nasb al-Raya [2.266-269]
This has been established by consensus of the Companions of the Beloved of Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). [Mawaffaq Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni 2.126 #1431]
Legal status:
It is necessary (wajib) for every Muslim (male or female, whether praying in congregation or alone) to make the following takbir (declaration of the greatness of Allah) immediately after each obligatory (fard) prayer.
Time:
From: the Fajr Prayer on the 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah (the Day of `Arafah)
To: the Asr Prayer on the 13th of Dhu’l Hijjah.
Thus, these takbirs last 5 days, and 23 prayers.
The takbirs:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu.
Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd .
( اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ )
(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.
And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)
Rulings related to this:
1. The wajib is to recite this takbir once. If done more than this, it is good. [Haskafi, Durr, quoting `Ayni]
2. The position related above that it is obligatory for 23 prayers, whether in congregation or alone, for every Muslim, is the position of Abu Hanifa’s students, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, and it is the position acted upon and chosen for fatwa, because of the strength of their evidence and the inherited practice being on it, and because it is more cautious. [Durrand Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, quoting al-Zahidi] Abu Hanifa’s position, that it lasts only 8 prayers, is supported by evidence, too, though, including the practice of some major Companions such as Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him), and was taken by some major Hanafi imams, though a minority, such as Ibn al-Humam in hisFath al-Qadir.
3. It is not wrong (rather, it is recommended) to also perform it after the Eid prayer itself because the Muslims have performed it generation after generation, so it is proper to follow their inherited practice (that has been accepted by generation after generation of scholars). [Durr and Radd al-Muhtar]
4. The followers must perform it, even if the imam leaves it. [Durr]
Latecomers [=those who missed one or more rakat of the congregational prayer] must perform it, but after completing their prayer.
5. It is necessary for the congregation to perform it out loud. [Ibn Abidin,Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Quhustani]
6. It is necessary to make the takbirs immediately after the salams. If one talks, loses one’s wudu, or performs other actions completely foreign to the prayer, one has missed the wajib. [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya;Durr]
And Allah alone gives success.
Taken from The Day of 'Arafah: 9th of Dhu'l Hijjah by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
For those who Allah gives the opportunity to stand in Arafah, we ask Allah to accept their hajj and return them home with complete forgiveness from all their sins, and we ask Allah to remind them to make duas for us, and we ask Allah to accept their duas.
For those who did not have the chance to go to hajj this year we ask Allah to forgive everyone on the day of Arafah with all the hajjis, and to make it easy for them to be in Arafah next year, and it’s not difficult for Allah.
Please don't forget us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archives:
The Best 10 Days
The Sacred Month of Zulhijjah is Fast Approaching
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Don't Be Standing On The Straight Path
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We ask Allah to guide us to the straight path and we do this many times, day and night, during our recitation of al-Fatiha in prayers.
Most people focus on standing on the straight path and some are traveling on it. Many are proud to be Muslim and many more want to be Muslim. Where are they going?
The point of the straight path is to get somewhere. Paradise is a good place to end up at rather than Hell, but it is not the ultimate aim. We want to get beyond Paradise. This is a call of the Qur'an--a call to Allah, the One.
Allah is calling you to Him. Would you respond?
If you want entrance to the King's Gardens, don't ignore the King. What one should be seeking ultimately is the eternal closeness to Allah, Dhu-l-Jalali wa-l-Ikram (Lord of Majesty and Generosity, Lord of Glory and Honor)
So many people are crazy about Islam but not many people are crazy about Allah, Malik Al-Mulk (The Master of the Kingdom, The Owner of All Sovereignty, The Lord of Absolute Ruling Power).
Don't be standing on the straight path, but keep going and worship Allah.
To worship Allah is to completely surrendering and submitting to Him. Worship comes out of knowing Allah.
Our first obligation is to know -- to know Allah, our Creator. If we don't know Allah, we will do everything wrong.
Mere following people won't help because people might be doing things wrong. You yourself have to seek knowledge and continuously seek knowledge.
May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station and grant us His Noble Countenance. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We ask Allah to guide us to the straight path and we do this many times, day and night, during our recitation of al-Fatiha in prayers.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦[Qur'an Al-Fatiha 1:6]
Guide us to the straight path - (6)
فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ ﴿٢٦[Qur'an At-Takwir 81:26]
So where are you going?
Most people focus on standing on the straight path and some are traveling on it. Many are proud to be Muslim and many more want to be Muslim. Where are they going?
The point of the straight path is to get somewhere. Paradise is a good place to end up at rather than Hell, but it is not the ultimate aim. We want to get beyond Paradise. This is a call of the Qur'an--a call to Allah, the One.
Allah is calling you to Him. Would you respond?
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:186]
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)
If you want entrance to the King's Gardens, don't ignore the King. What one should be seeking ultimately is the eternal closeness to Allah, Dhu-l-Jalali wa-l-Ikram (Lord of Majesty and Generosity, Lord of Glory and Honor)
So many people are crazy about Islam but not many people are crazy about Allah, Malik Al-Mulk (The Master of the Kingdom, The Owner of All Sovereignty, The Lord of Absolute Ruling Power).
Don't be standing on the straight path, but keep going and worship Allah.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦[Qur'an Adh-Dhariyat 51:56]
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)
وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٦١[Qur'an Ya-Sin 26:61]
And that you worship [only] Me? This is a straight path. (61)
To worship Allah is to completely surrendering and submitting to Him. Worship comes out of knowing Allah.
Our first obligation is to know -- to know Allah, our Creator. If we don't know Allah, we will do everything wrong.
Mere following people won't help because people might be doing things wrong. You yourself have to seek knowledge and continuously seek knowledge.
[Qur'an Al-Hashr 59:22-24]
هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿٢٢﴾ هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّـهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿٢٤
He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (22) He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (23) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (24)
May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station and grant us His Noble Countenance. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Monday, October 22, 2012
Gratitude And Patience
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
No matter how good things get, there are people who still only see bad – and they would go to great lengths to point it out to everyone around them. These are the complainers.
Many people don't realize they are complainers. Many of us are complainers to a certain degree. Catch yourself complain one day and you will agree.
Some complainers can be difficult to stop their complaining. You cannot cheer them up, you cannot suggest them solutions, you cannot ask them to pull themselves together, you cannot complain about them, you cannot complain along with them, you cannot ignore them, you cannot confront them.
So what do you do? You sincerely say, "You know that sounds terrible. I don't know how you deal with all these problems!" Ironically, you will find them say, "Well, it's really not that bad!" Remember, don’t be sarcastic when you say it. Be sincere. You don’t have to agree that these are huge problems. Even if everything the complainer says sound trivial to you, remember that it feels like a huge problem to them, otherwise they wouldn’t have gone on with it. What seems trivial to one person can be a huge problem to others.
If we have something to complain, say Alhamdulillah and look at yourself in the mirror in a humble fashion. Recognize that you won't be able to see yourself if Allah didn't bless you with eyes. Your eye is a tremendous blessing from Allah. If you can't see this, then would you trade your eyes for a million dollars?
Think of this one blessing--the blessing of the eyes. In order for the eyes to exist, they have to be on a human body, that is you. Think of everything that have to exist for the human body and for the human being to exist--the earth has to exist. Think of what else in the realm of the milky way and the galaxy for the earth to exist. If planets collide up there, our earth ceases to exist. We take all that exist very much for granted, whereas they are all necessary for the human to live on this earth.
Say Alhamdulillah for everything. Don't complain (even if there is no rain or too much rain). You have more than the eyes to be grateful for. Don't deny that this is already a big blessing. If you deny one blessing, it is as if you are denying all the other blessings. Say Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah for everything.
If you live with complainers, be patient.
Patience (sabr) is one of the most foundation of all virtues and difficult to inculcate. All of us are tested with patience everyday. Allah's reward is tremendous for the patient one.
Patience is to faith as what the head is to body. There is no way of disposing patience. As long as we are alive, we are required to be patient. Otherwise, we are going to abuse ourselves if we are not patient.
Everything around us is teaching us to be impatient--AC (when it is a little hot, turn on the AC), credit card (when you see something, you can't wait till you actually have the money for it, pull out the plastic), automobiles (can't walk to the store a block away, start the engine), fast food, etc. So, it is actually a blessing when Allah puts you in a situation that causes you to be patient.
If you think you have patience, go to hajj. If you have the chance, study in Egypt for several years, you will learn patience. Until you are tested with all the different scenarios, you can't say you have patience.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Aisha
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
No matter how good things get, there are people who still only see bad – and they would go to great lengths to point it out to everyone around them. These are the complainers.
Many people don't realize they are complainers. Many of us are complainers to a certain degree. Catch yourself complain one day and you will agree.
Some complainers can be difficult to stop their complaining. You cannot cheer them up, you cannot suggest them solutions, you cannot ask them to pull themselves together, you cannot complain about them, you cannot complain along with them, you cannot ignore them, you cannot confront them.
So what do you do? You sincerely say, "You know that sounds terrible. I don't know how you deal with all these problems!" Ironically, you will find them say, "Well, it's really not that bad!" Remember, don’t be sarcastic when you say it. Be sincere. You don’t have to agree that these are huge problems. Even if everything the complainer says sound trivial to you, remember that it feels like a huge problem to them, otherwise they wouldn’t have gone on with it. What seems trivial to one person can be a huge problem to others.
If we have something to complain, say Alhamdulillah and look at yourself in the mirror in a humble fashion. Recognize that you won't be able to see yourself if Allah didn't bless you with eyes. Your eye is a tremendous blessing from Allah. If you can't see this, then would you trade your eyes for a million dollars?
Think of this one blessing--the blessing of the eyes. In order for the eyes to exist, they have to be on a human body, that is you. Think of everything that have to exist for the human body and for the human being to exist--the earth has to exist. Think of what else in the realm of the milky way and the galaxy for the earth to exist. If planets collide up there, our earth ceases to exist. We take all that exist very much for granted, whereas they are all necessary for the human to live on this earth.
Say Alhamdulillah for everything. Don't complain (even if there is no rain or too much rain). You have more than the eyes to be grateful for. Don't deny that this is already a big blessing. If you deny one blessing, it is as if you are denying all the other blessings. Say Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah for everything.
If you live with complainers, be patient.
Patience (sabr) is one of the most foundation of all virtues and difficult to inculcate. All of us are tested with patience everyday. Allah's reward is tremendous for the patient one.
Patience is to faith as what the head is to body. There is no way of disposing patience. As long as we are alive, we are required to be patient. Otherwise, we are going to abuse ourselves if we are not patient.
Everything around us is teaching us to be impatient--AC (when it is a little hot, turn on the AC), credit card (when you see something, you can't wait till you actually have the money for it, pull out the plastic), automobiles (can't walk to the store a block away, start the engine), fast food, etc. So, it is actually a blessing when Allah puts you in a situation that causes you to be patient.
If you think you have patience, go to hajj. If you have the chance, study in Egypt for several years, you will learn patience. Until you are tested with all the different scenarios, you can't say you have patience.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
I am amazed at the affair of the believer, it is all good. If he goes through times of difficulty he is patient, if he goes through times of ease, he is thankful.May Allah make us among the grateful and the patient. Ameen,
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Aisha
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Remembrance of Allah For The First 10 Days of DhulHijjah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
These are adhkar that many of the pious people would read ten times every day for the first ten days of DhulHijjah (October 17, 2012 - October 26, 2012).
First 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah adhkar
May Allah accept. Ameen.
Please remember us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
These are adhkar that many of the pious people would read ten times every day for the first ten days of DhulHijjah (October 17, 2012 - October 26, 2012).
First 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah adhkar
May Allah accept. Ameen.
Please remember us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Best 10 Days
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We are about to enter the first 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah wherein the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
For that reason some scholars have ruled that these days are better than the final 10 days of Ramadhan, although the nights of Ramadhan are superior to these nights.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that fasting on one of these days is equal to the reward of fasting for a whole year and standing in one of these nights in prayer is equal to standing in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr. It has also been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied seven hundred times.
The Day of Arafat (9 Dhu’l-hijjah) is the greatest day of the year. Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come.
If we are not able to fast the first 9 days of the Dhu'l-hijjah, which begins on Wedesday, October 17, we should at least fast on the Day of Arafat. If we are able to fast two or three days then by fasting Monday or Thursday or both we will gain the reward of following the Sunnah. Likewise by fasting three of these days we will have performed the Sunnah of fasting three days in every month.
We should make abundant remembrance of Allah and du'a and perform much good deeds. Our prayer, fasting, charity, dhikr, supplication, reciting Qur'an, seeking knowledge, helping people, any righteous actions we do on these days will be greatly rewarded and beyond that are beloved to Allah.
May Allah grant us righteous deeds during these first 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah and accept our deeds. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archives:
Turning Away From Ramadhan Appetites
Sacred Month of Zulhijjah Is Fast Approaching
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We are about to enter the first 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah wherein the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing."[Bukhari]
For that reason some scholars have ruled that these days are better than the final 10 days of Ramadhan, although the nights of Ramadhan are superior to these nights.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that fasting on one of these days is equal to the reward of fasting for a whole year and standing in one of these nights in prayer is equal to standing in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr. It has also been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied seven hundred times.
The Day of Arafat (9 Dhu’l-hijjah) is the greatest day of the year. Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come.
If we are not able to fast the first 9 days of the Dhu'l-hijjah, which begins on Wedesday, October 17, we should at least fast on the Day of Arafat. If we are able to fast two or three days then by fasting Monday or Thursday or both we will gain the reward of following the Sunnah. Likewise by fasting three of these days we will have performed the Sunnah of fasting three days in every month.
We should make abundant remembrance of Allah and du'a and perform much good deeds. Our prayer, fasting, charity, dhikr, supplication, reciting Qur'an, seeking knowledge, helping people, any righteous actions we do on these days will be greatly rewarded and beyond that are beloved to Allah.
May Allah grant us righteous deeds during these first 10 days of Dhu'l-hijjah and accept our deeds. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archives:
Turning Away From Ramadhan Appetites
Sacred Month of Zulhijjah Is Fast Approaching
Forgotten Knowledge
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
He also said:
The leader of the faithful and the great companion of the Prophet, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say,
It was also said that Umar said (in the meaning of), if you want to have play, play archery, if you want to speak, speak about mirath (inheritance).
It is incumbent upon each of us to learn Islamic inheritance and apply it. Otherwise you might be denying the rights of certain people or you might be eating wealth that is unlawful for you if you take someone else's inheritance. If you look around you, you will see the truth in this. Many families are divided over property, children are hurt over parental preference in their bequest and siblings are no longer speaking to each other.
Inheritance is known as 'Fara-idh' (plural 'Fareedah') in Arabic, which means something that has been fixed, set or determined. This branch of knowledge is known as 'Fara-idh' because it has been fixed by Allah in the Qur'an (Surah An-Nisa verses 11, 12 and 176).
Islamic inheritance laws are there to preserve certain things, and among those things, is to preserve our families and societies. It gives balance to our lives.
In the family, we learn our first lessons of God and creation, love and discipline, rights and responsibilities, human dignity and human frailty. The strength of our families is vital to our well-being. When inheritance law is not applied, families break apart and we lose the strength and we lose the balance.
Still, many Muslims ignored and abandoned this Islamic teaching and follow the ways and the practices of non-Muslims, in which one person or only a few selected ones would be given or receive the inheritance. In my legal practice, it is very seldom to see, among my Muslim clients, who are keen to divide their estate according to the Shari'ah Law of Inheritance. Rather, many started of by giving their estate to one or a few other persons, and if they are married, only their spouses inherit, even when they have other family members or relatives.
May Allah save us from ignorance and disobedience and protect us from eating haram wealth. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archive:
Don't Hoard Even Small Stuff
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Learn inheritance and teach it for it is half the knowledge and it will be forgotten, and it is the first thing to be ripped from my Ummah.[Ibn Majah 2710]
He also said:
Learn inheritance and teach it to people for I am a mortal being and knowledge will decrease until two people would differ amongst themselves over inheritance, but wouldn’t find an arbitrator.[al Nisa’i 6305]
The leader of the faithful and the great companion of the Prophet, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say,
O people, learn Fara-idh with the same concern and effort with which you learn from the Qur'an.
It was also said that Umar said (in the meaning of), if you want to have play, play archery, if you want to speak, speak about mirath (inheritance).
It is incumbent upon each of us to learn Islamic inheritance and apply it. Otherwise you might be denying the rights of certain people or you might be eating wealth that is unlawful for you if you take someone else's inheritance. If you look around you, you will see the truth in this. Many families are divided over property, children are hurt over parental preference in their bequest and siblings are no longer speaking to each other.
Inheritance is known as 'Fara-idh' (plural 'Fareedah') in Arabic, which means something that has been fixed, set or determined. This branch of knowledge is known as 'Fara-idh' because it has been fixed by Allah in the Qur'an (Surah An-Nisa verses 11, 12 and 176).
Islamic inheritance laws are there to preserve certain things, and among those things, is to preserve our families and societies. It gives balance to our lives.
In the family, we learn our first lessons of God and creation, love and discipline, rights and responsibilities, human dignity and human frailty. The strength of our families is vital to our well-being. When inheritance law is not applied, families break apart and we lose the strength and we lose the balance.
Still, many Muslims ignored and abandoned this Islamic teaching and follow the ways and the practices of non-Muslims, in which one person or only a few selected ones would be given or receive the inheritance. In my legal practice, it is very seldom to see, among my Muslim clients, who are keen to divide their estate according to the Shari'ah Law of Inheritance. Rather, many started of by giving their estate to one or a few other persons, and if they are married, only their spouses inherit, even when they have other family members or relatives.
May Allah save us from ignorance and disobedience and protect us from eating haram wealth. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archive:
Don't Hoard Even Small Stuff
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The Four Sacred Months: Do Not Wrong Yourselves Therein
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The Islamic year has twelve months that are based on a lunar cycle, namely: Muharram, Safar, Rabia Awal, Rabia Thani, Jumaada Awal, Jumaada Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadhan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'da and Dhul-hijjah.
Four of these months are sacred.
Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, during his address of the Day of Sacrifice during the Last Hajj, explained the sacred months by saying: The months are consecutive - Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram - and one month is that of Rajab. But, there were two sayings of the Arabs regarding the month of Rajab. Some tribes used to call the month we know as Ramadhan the month of Rajab while, as seen by the tribe of Mudar, Rajab was the month which comes in between Jumada ath- Thaniah and Sha'ban. Therefore, the Holy Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, by mentioning this month as 'Rajab Mudar' - also made it clear that it means the month of Rajab which is in between Jumada ath-Thaniah and Sha'ban. [tafsir of Qur'an -- Ma'ariful Qur'an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi]
There is no dispute that Dhul-hijjah being one of the four sacred months.
Allah Almighty says,
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with father and son, said that this phrase (so do not wrong yourselves therein…) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.
Qataadah, may Allah be pleased with him, said concerning this phrase (so do not wrong yourselves therein…) that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylat al-Qadr, so venerate that which Allaah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allaah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him. Tafsir of Surah at-Tawbah, ayah 36).
May Allah save us from disobedience and increase our worship. Ameen. Please include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The Islamic year has twelve months that are based on a lunar cycle, namely: Muharram, Safar, Rabia Awal, Rabia Thani, Jumaada Awal, Jumaada Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadhan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'da and Dhul-hijjah.
Four of these months are sacred.
Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’ban.[al-Bukhari]
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, during his address of the Day of Sacrifice during the Last Hajj, explained the sacred months by saying: The months are consecutive - Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram - and one month is that of Rajab. But, there were two sayings of the Arabs regarding the month of Rajab. Some tribes used to call the month we know as Ramadhan the month of Rajab while, as seen by the tribe of Mudar, Rajab was the month which comes in between Jumada ath- Thaniah and Sha'ban. Therefore, the Holy Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, by mentioning this month as 'Rajab Mudar' - also made it clear that it means the month of Rajab which is in between Jumada ath-Thaniah and Sha'ban. [tafsir of Qur'an -- Ma'ariful Qur'an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi]
There is no dispute that Dhul-hijjah being one of the four sacred months.
Allah Almighty says,
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٦[Qur'an At-Tawba 9:36]
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves therein. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. (36)
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلشَّهْرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ ۖ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ ۖ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ وَكُفْرٌۢ بِهِۦ وَٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِۦ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ وَٱلْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ ٱلْقَتْلِ ۗ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ ٱسْتَطَـٰعُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿٢١٧[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:217]
They ask you about the sacred month - about fighting therein. Say, "Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing." And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally. (217)
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with father and son, said that this phrase (so do not wrong yourselves therein…) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.
Qataadah, may Allah be pleased with him, said concerning this phrase (so do not wrong yourselves therein…) that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylat al-Qadr, so venerate that which Allaah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allaah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him. Tafsir of Surah at-Tawbah, ayah 36).
May Allah save us from disobedience and increase our worship. Ameen. Please include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
The Sacred Month Of Zulhijjah Is Fast Approaching: Prepare To Do Extra Good Deeds
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Faith (iman) wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you haven't work on building your iman, even if it is good last month or last year, it is worn out now. We can renew our faith each day by actively seeking to do good. There are so many ways in the teachings of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and gant him peace, that can help us do this.
We are now almost at the end of the sacred month of Dhul-Qi'dah, one of the four sacred months. In a day or two, it will be the beginning of the sacred month of Zulhijjah. This is the season of hajj and many Muslims have begun their journey for hajj. May Allah make their journey safe. Those who are at home should begin to prepare themselves to do extra good deeds during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
Don't forget to make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.
One thing everyone can do is to look in your food pantry. I am sure you have plenty of food that you don't need that you can give away without you and your loved ones go hungry. Likewise, look in your clothes closet for clothes you haven't worn for more than a year and give them away to people who can wear them. This is one great way to lighten your baggage.
Remember the homeless. They are hungry and needy. Feed them and clothe them. Share what you have with them.
Recommended extra good deeds
1. Fast on the first 9 days of Zulhijjah, at least on Zulhijjah 9, the day of Arafat. Fasting on the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years (past and future).
2. Avoid all sins at all costs. Remember there is no connection with Allah except our obedience to Him (...The Muslims are supported by their enemy's disobedience towards Allah. Were it not for that, we would not have any strength, as our numbers are not like theirs. If we were equally matched in sin, they would have an advantage over us in strength, and if we did not have an advantage over them by our virtue, we would not be able to defeat them by our strength...Omar's advice).
3. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.
4. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.
5. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.
6. Give more charity during these 10 days.
7. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, etc.)
8. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the 5 daily prescribed prayers, etc).
9. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.
10. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past deeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
11. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and a portion for yourself and friends.
If you have relatives in some of the poor countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Somalia, it is not a bad idea to have the sacrifice done in those countries for it is likely this is the only time the poor there are able to taste meat in the entire year.
12. Go to the Eid prayer on Zulhijjah 10. It is recommended to fast before Eid prayer. You break your fast after the prayer.
Hajj Mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. May Allah make them remember to make du'a for us.
May Allah accept our works and grant us the opportunity to perform hajj next year.
Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Aisha
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Faith (iman) wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you haven't work on building your iman, even if it is good last month or last year, it is worn out now. We can renew our faith each day by actively seeking to do good. There are so many ways in the teachings of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and gant him peace, that can help us do this.
We are now almost at the end of the sacred month of Dhul-Qi'dah, one of the four sacred months. In a day or two, it will be the beginning of the sacred month of Zulhijjah. This is the season of hajj and many Muslims have begun their journey for hajj. May Allah make their journey safe. Those who are at home should begin to prepare themselves to do extra good deeds during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).
Don't forget to make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.
One thing everyone can do is to look in your food pantry. I am sure you have plenty of food that you don't need that you can give away without you and your loved ones go hungry. Likewise, look in your clothes closet for clothes you haven't worn for more than a year and give them away to people who can wear them. This is one great way to lighten your baggage.
Remember the homeless. They are hungry and needy. Feed them and clothe them. Share what you have with them.
Recommended extra good deeds
1. Fast on the first 9 days of Zulhijjah, at least on Zulhijjah 9, the day of Arafat. Fasting on the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years (past and future).
2. Avoid all sins at all costs. Remember there is no connection with Allah except our obedience to Him (...The Muslims are supported by their enemy's disobedience towards Allah. Were it not for that, we would not have any strength, as our numbers are not like theirs. If we were equally matched in sin, they would have an advantage over us in strength, and if we did not have an advantage over them by our virtue, we would not be able to defeat them by our strength...Omar's advice).
3. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.
4. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.
5. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.
6. Give more charity during these 10 days.
7. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, etc.)
8. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the 5 daily prescribed prayers, etc).
9. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.
10. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past deeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
11. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and a portion for yourself and friends.
If you have relatives in some of the poor countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Somalia, it is not a bad idea to have the sacrifice done in those countries for it is likely this is the only time the poor there are able to taste meat in the entire year.
12. Go to the Eid prayer on Zulhijjah 10. It is recommended to fast before Eid prayer. You break your fast after the prayer.
Hajj Mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. May Allah make them remember to make du'a for us.
May Allah accept our works and grant us the opportunity to perform hajj next year.
Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Aisha
Friday, October 12, 2012
Don't Hoard Even Small Stuff
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Whatever you give seeking thereby purely for Allah's pleasure is a tremendous thing for Allah. Allah's mercy is tremendous. There is a tremendous reward for your good deed. So don't feel that you have to give a lot before you give.
If you make an inventory of what you have, you will find that you have a lot in your possession to give. You don't have to look into your bank accounts or your investments. Just look around your house--your garage, your closets, your pantry, in the drawers and cabinets, even in your car, etc, you will find so many things you have accumulated over the years that you don't really need, and some you may not even remember that you have been hoarding them. These things can go to charity or be converted into cash and give to the masjid or the needy
While you are alive, you can give charity as much as you want but when you are on your deathbed, you cannot give more than 1/3 of your wealth. So, give and continue giving while you are still breathing. InshaAllah, it will add to your scale of good deeds, and you won't be sorry when you come before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
If you have something to give away, it is important that you also have a Will (wasiyyah).
Even a small item like your 50 dollar gold wedding ring gifted to you 50 years ago by your then starving college student husband or that ornate vase sitting on your coffee table for the past 25 years or that nice silverware displayed in your China cabinet can be a source of unhappiness among those who you will be leaving behind and a cause of discord between them after you die. How many times you hear families fight over the estate of the deceased and many cases go for decades without resolution.
It is not necessary that these people are bad or greedy, but people are easily overcome by emotions after a death of a loved one and some may not necessarily react properly. So, don't go more than 2 nights without a Will and best still try not to leave too much stuff for your heirs. The less you leave behind the less things they have to contend with and fight over after you die.
So, what do you do? Give away the things that you don't really need and don't keep hoarding stuff.
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Apostle, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
Narrated: Amr bin Al-Harith:
(The brother of the wife of Allah's Apostle, Allah bless him and grant him peace, Juwairiya bint Al-Harith, may Allah be pleased with her)
The one appointed to handle the estate of the deceased should consult a qualified scholar to make sure the estate is distributed according to the Islamic inheritance law, whether or not the deceased has a Will. You would do the deceased a great favor perchance that the deceased did not divide it correctly.
The basis of the Islamic inheritance law is in Surah An-Nisa verses 11, 12 and 176. Certain people have rights over what you left at your death and you and other people have nothing to say about it. It behooves every Muslim to know this and not rely on practice of the land.
May Allah guide us and protect us from greed and devouring other's inheritance. Ameen.
Please include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Whatever you give seeking thereby purely for Allah's pleasure is a tremendous thing for Allah. Allah's mercy is tremendous. There is a tremendous reward for your good deed. So don't feel that you have to give a lot before you give.
If you make an inventory of what you have, you will find that you have a lot in your possession to give. You don't have to look into your bank accounts or your investments. Just look around your house--your garage, your closets, your pantry, in the drawers and cabinets, even in your car, etc, you will find so many things you have accumulated over the years that you don't really need, and some you may not even remember that you have been hoarding them. These things can go to charity or be converted into cash and give to the masjid or the needy
While you are alive, you can give charity as much as you want but when you are on your deathbed, you cannot give more than 1/3 of your wealth. So, give and continue giving while you are still breathing. InshaAllah, it will add to your scale of good deeds, and you won't be sorry when you come before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
If you have something to give away, it is important that you also have a Will (wasiyyah).
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا ٱلْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٨٠[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:180]
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous. (180)
Even a small item like your 50 dollar gold wedding ring gifted to you 50 years ago by your then starving college student husband or that ornate vase sitting on your coffee table for the past 25 years or that nice silverware displayed in your China cabinet can be a source of unhappiness among those who you will be leaving behind and a cause of discord between them after you die. How many times you hear families fight over the estate of the deceased and many cases go for decades without resolution.
It is not necessary that these people are bad or greedy, but people are easily overcome by emotions after a death of a loved one and some may not necessarily react properly. So, don't go more than 2 nights without a Will and best still try not to leave too much stuff for your heirs. The less you leave behind the less things they have to contend with and fight over after you die.
So, what do you do? Give away the things that you don't really need and don't keep hoarding stuff.
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Apostle, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him.[Bukhari]
Narrated: Amr bin Al-Harith:
(The brother of the wife of Allah's Apostle, Allah bless him and grant him peace, Juwairiya bint Al-Harith, may Allah be pleased with her)
When Allah's Apostle, Allah bless him and grant him peace, died, he did not leave any Dirham or Dinar (i.e. money), a slave or a slave woman or anything else except his white mule, his arms and a piece of land which he had given in charity.[Bukhari]
The one appointed to handle the estate of the deceased should consult a qualified scholar to make sure the estate is distributed according to the Islamic inheritance law, whether or not the deceased has a Will. You would do the deceased a great favor perchance that the deceased did not divide it correctly.
The basis of the Islamic inheritance law is in Surah An-Nisa verses 11, 12 and 176. Certain people have rights over what you left at your death and you and other people have nothing to say about it. It behooves every Muslim to know this and not rely on practice of the land.
يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءً فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةً فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ وَلِأَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ إِن كَانَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَوَرِثَهُۥٓ أَبَوَاهُ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلثُّلُثُ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُۥٓ إِخْوَةٌ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِى بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۗ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١١[Qur'an An-Nisa 4:11,12,176]
Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (11)
وَلَكُمْ نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ أَزْوَٰجُكُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُنَّ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُنَّ وَلَدٌ فَلَكُمُ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْنَ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِينَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۚ وَلَهُنَّ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّكُمْ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌ فَلَهُنَّ ٱلثُّمُنُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُم ۚ مِّنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوصُونَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۗ وَإِن كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُورَثُ كَلَـٰلَةً أَوِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ وَلَهُۥٓ أَخٌ أَوْ أُخْتٌ فَلِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ فَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فِى ٱلثُّلُثِ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصَىٰ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ غَيْرَ مُضَآرٍّۢ ۚ وَصِيَّةً مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌ حَلِيمٌ ﴿١٢
And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they [may have] made or debt. And for the wives is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you [may have] made or debt. And if a man or woman leaves neither ascendants nor descendants but has a brother or a sister, then for each one of them is a sixth. But if they are more than two, they share a third, after any bequest which was made or debt, as long as there is no detriment [caused]. [This is] an ordinance from Allah, and Allah is Knowing and Forbearing. (12)
يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ ٱللَّـهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِى ٱلْكَلَـٰلَةِ ۚ إِنِ ٱمْرُؤٌا۟ هَلَكَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَلَهُۥٓ أُخْتٌ فَلَهَا نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ ۚ وَهُوَ يَرِثُهَآ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهَا وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن كَانَتَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُمَا ٱلثُّلُثَانِ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ۚ وَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَةً رِّجَالًا وَنِسَآءً فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۗ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّـهُ لَكُمْ أَن تَضِلُّوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ ﴿١٧٦
They request from you a [legal] ruling. Say, "Allah gives you a ruling concerning one having neither descendants nor ascendants [as heirs]." If a man dies, leaving no child but [only] a sister, she will have half of what he left. And he inherits from her if she [dies and] has no child. But if there are two sisters [or more], they will have two-thirds of what he left. If there are both brothers and sisters, the male will have the share of two females. Allah makes clear to you [His law], lest you go astray. And Allah is Knowing of all things. (176)
May Allah guide us and protect us from greed and devouring other's inheritance. Ameen.
Please include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Thursday, October 11, 2012
They Would Come Even If They Had To Crawl
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Waking up to pray Fajr for many people is a hardship especially when Fajr starts very early in the morning, not 3 or 4 or 5 a.m. but much earlier, and the hardship increases when you have to take wudu' without hot running water in the cold winter.
Because of that performing the Fajr prayer regardless of the time, condition or environment one is in is a sign of one's sincerity and faith, and whoever is a sincere believer, he is under the protection of Allah.
Abandoning the Fajr prayer is a transgression of the covenant between you and your Lord. This covenant is prayer and regular performance of prayer.
Narrated Jundub ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
There is a tremendous virtue for men to offer Fajr as well as 'Isha in congregation in the masjid. (There is no greater virtue for women to pray in congregation than praying at home)
Narrated ‘Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Narrated from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
So, if Fajr begins close to 6 a.m. and for the most part unchanging in your area like Malaysia, consider this a great blessing and you shouldn't miss Fajr. Similarly, if you have masjid all around you or just outside your apartment, like Egypt, this is a great blessing and you shouldn't miss praying in congregation in the masjid.
May Allah grant us tawfiq and make us steadfast with our prayers. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Waking up to pray Fajr for many people is a hardship especially when Fajr starts very early in the morning, not 3 or 4 or 5 a.m. but much earlier, and the hardship increases when you have to take wudu' without hot running water in the cold winter.
Because of that performing the Fajr prayer regardless of the time, condition or environment one is in is a sign of one's sincerity and faith, and whoever is a sincere believer, he is under the protection of Allah.
Abandoning the Fajr prayer is a transgression of the covenant between you and your Lord. This covenant is prayer and regular performance of prayer.
Narrated Jundub ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Whoever prays Fajr is under the protection of Allah, so do not fall short with regard to the rights of Allah, for anyone who does that, Allah will seize him and will throw him on his face into the Fire of Hell.[Muslim]
There is a tremendous virtue for men to offer Fajr as well as 'Isha in congregation in the masjid. (There is no greater virtue for women to pray in congregation than praying at home)
Narrated ‘Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Whoever prays ‘Isha’ in congregation, it is as if he spent half the night in prayer, and whoever prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he spent the whole night in prayer.[Muslim]
Narrated from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
If they knew what there is (of reward) in ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayer, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.[Bukhari and Muslim]
‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
To attend Fajr prayer in congregation is dearer to me than spending the night in prayer.
So, if Fajr begins close to 6 a.m. and for the most part unchanging in your area like Malaysia, consider this a great blessing and you shouldn't miss Fajr. Similarly, if you have masjid all around you or just outside your apartment, like Egypt, this is a great blessing and you shouldn't miss praying in congregation in the masjid.
May Allah grant us tawfiq and make us steadfast with our prayers. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Like Losing Your Family And Wealth
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The two most precious possessions that one has are one's family and money. Most people spend most of their time trying to make as much money as they can to support their families and trying to make them happy.
No doubt, one will be grief-stricken if he lost his family and his wealth. Feel the same way when we miss praying the 'Asr prayer.
It is all so easy to to miss 'Asr prayer, even for the one who prays regularly, if you don't plan your day carefully. Maybe you get stuck in traffic, or resting a little too long when you arrive home after a long day at work/long drive, or maybe you are busy cooking for your family or entertaining your guests, etc.
You work hard trying to make money to support your family and give them the comfort of this life, or you want to make your family happy by cooking their favorite dishes, but it won't do you any good if you missed your 'Asr prayer and having to make it up later.
It is important that we pray all prayers in its time. So plan carefully so you don't miss praying the 'Asr prayer in its time. Maybe pray first at work before you go home perchance you get stuck in traffic or pray first before you get carried away with cooking, etc.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
There are some other hadiths that state this meaning clearly:
Narrated from Ibn-i Burayda that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Everyone knows Muslims pray five times a day. This is the basic thing people know about Islam.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, "What is the best of works?" He replied, "Prayer at its times." (Bukhari)
So we should pray 5 times a day, not 2, 3 or 4 times a day. Each prayer (fajr, dhuhr, 'asr, maghrib and isha) is meant to be prayed in its time, not making up missed prayers everyday. Then you are not praying 5 time a day, but 4 or less times a day.
"The five prayers and Friday to Friday are expiation of whatever happens between them, as long as one avoids the major sins." (Muslim)
Of the major sins a person can commit in his life is neglecting the prayer and neglecting the times of the prayer.
The prayer itself is the most powerful of the act of worship in Islam. Suffice us to know that Allah commands us to pray five times a day. It is the most central act of worship to us. We do hajj once in a lifetime to purify ourselves; we fast Ramadhan once a year to purify ourselves but with the prayer, we can't go a day without doing it at least five times. This is to help keep us going towards our Lord. This tells us that we need the prayer. Allah does not need our prayers. Allah ordains upon us to make sure that we keep praying at times which are spread out throughout the day so we keep afloat, keep connected, keep aware of our Lord. Without the prayers we become distant; we become cut off; we become lost.
We are in need and we are poor. Prayer is what Allah bless us with to enrich us. As for Allah, He is free of need of everything which He ever created.
Of the great wonders of prayer is that Allah didn't obliged it upon us on earth. Allah obliged it upon us when the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was in heaven on the night of the Isra' (the ascension). It is an act whoever stays with it, it becomes his haven which he retreats to throughout his day. It becomes his support and his comfort.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Bilal! Comfort us with it (call to prayer)." So we can go back to our haven.
Prayer is of the most powerful of spiritual works for he who maintains it throughout his life, whether healthy or sick; traveling or staying at home; studying or having exams; watching kids or entertaining guests; shopping or working; or in cold temperature or hot weather; it will leave its mark on the person.
May Allah make us steadfast with our prayers and grant us tawfiq. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The two most precious possessions that one has are one's family and money. Most people spend most of their time trying to make as much money as they can to support their families and trying to make them happy.
No doubt, one will be grief-stricken if he lost his family and his wealth. Feel the same way when we miss praying the 'Asr prayer.
It is all so easy to to miss 'Asr prayer, even for the one who prays regularly, if you don't plan your day carefully. Maybe you get stuck in traffic, or resting a little too long when you arrive home after a long day at work/long drive, or maybe you are busy cooking for your family or entertaining your guests, etc.
You work hard trying to make money to support your family and give them the comfort of this life, or you want to make your family happy by cooking their favorite dishes, but it won't do you any good if you missed your 'Asr prayer and having to make it up later.
It is important that we pray all prayers in its time. So plan carefully so you don't miss praying the 'Asr prayer in its time. Maybe pray first at work before you go home perchance you get stuck in traffic or pray first before you get carried away with cooking, etc.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer, it is as if he had lost his family and his wealth”(Bukhari and Muslim)
There are some other hadiths that state this meaning clearly:
Narrated from Ibn-i Burayda that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Whoever does not pray the asr prayer until the sunset and abandons it, his deeds of worship become void.
Everyone knows Muslims pray five times a day. This is the basic thing people know about Islam.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, "What is the best of works?" He replied, "Prayer at its times." (Bukhari)
So we should pray 5 times a day, not 2, 3 or 4 times a day. Each prayer (fajr, dhuhr, 'asr, maghrib and isha) is meant to be prayed in its time, not making up missed prayers everyday. Then you are not praying 5 time a day, but 4 or less times a day.
"The five prayers and Friday to Friday are expiation of whatever happens between them, as long as one avoids the major sins." (Muslim)
Of the major sins a person can commit in his life is neglecting the prayer and neglecting the times of the prayer.
The prayer itself is the most powerful of the act of worship in Islam. Suffice us to know that Allah commands us to pray five times a day. It is the most central act of worship to us. We do hajj once in a lifetime to purify ourselves; we fast Ramadhan once a year to purify ourselves but with the prayer, we can't go a day without doing it at least five times. This is to help keep us going towards our Lord. This tells us that we need the prayer. Allah does not need our prayers. Allah ordains upon us to make sure that we keep praying at times which are spread out throughout the day so we keep afloat, keep connected, keep aware of our Lord. Without the prayers we become distant; we become cut off; we become lost.
We are in need and we are poor. Prayer is what Allah bless us with to enrich us. As for Allah, He is free of need of everything which He ever created.
Of the great wonders of prayer is that Allah didn't obliged it upon us on earth. Allah obliged it upon us when the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was in heaven on the night of the Isra' (the ascension). It is an act whoever stays with it, it becomes his haven which he retreats to throughout his day. It becomes his support and his comfort.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Bilal! Comfort us with it (call to prayer)." So we can go back to our haven.
Prayer is of the most powerful of spiritual works for he who maintains it throughout his life, whether healthy or sick; traveling or staying at home; studying or having exams; watching kids or entertaining guests; shopping or working; or in cold temperature or hot weather; it will leave its mark on the person.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٲعُونَ (٨) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٲتِہِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ (٩) أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ (١٠) ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسَ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ (١١)[Qur'an A-Mu'minun 23:9-11]
And they who carefully maintain their prayers - (9) Those are the inheritors (10) Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally. (11)
May Allah make us steadfast with our prayers and grant us tawfiq. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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